ORION COLOURS & MARKINGS

See one AP-3C Orion - seen 'em all

When
the P-3B Orions were first delivered to the RAAF in 1968, they
were painted in a similar fashion to the Neptunes that they replaced.
The Orions were predominantly Gloss Light Gull Grey with the upper
part of the fuselage painted white for solar reflection. Serial
numbers were displayed in the usual manner on the rear fuselage.
The last two digits of the serial were carried in large characters
on the forward fuselage and the last three on the fin. The last
two digits were also carried above both windscreens and the Australian
flag was carried under the cockpit side windows. Colourful squadron
markings were soon added to the tail. The P-3Bs retained this
livery for the duration of their RAAF service.

P-3B
A9-291 with the early 11 SQN emblem on the fin and before
the application of the large 91 on the forward fuselage.

(All images
on this page are linked to larger versions)

When
the first batch of P-3Cs for No 10 Squadron entered service in
1978, they wore the same colours as the P-3Bs and their serial
numbers were carried in the same style and locations. When the
second batch of P-3Cs arrived for No 11 Squadron in 1985, it became
apparent that the use of the "last two" would result
in duplications across the fleet so the serials on the forward
fuselage and above the windscreens were presented with all three
digits.

P-3C A9-759 from the first batch before the application
of squadron markings on the tail.

P-3C
A9-760 with the 10 SQN chimera emblem on the fin and rudder.

P-3C
A9-657 with the 11 SQN albatross emblem on the fin and
rudder.

Then it all changed!

By
late 1989, the Orions were appearing with their markings toned-down.
The fin flashes, Australian flag and colourful squadron markings
were painted out and roundels were applied in darker shades of
grey. Serials were removed from the fin, forward fuselage and
windscreen locations although in some instances the full serial
was retained on the rear fuselage. Even the red and white propeller
tip markings were deleted in favour of black. During 1989, several
aircraft appear to have been completely repainted grey with a
white top and with all markings including the rear fuselage serial
omitted. It would appear therefore that this interim scheme existed
in two phases; (a) the quick over-paint method and (b) the complete
repaint.

P-3C
A9-664 in August 1990 in the interim scheme with markings
painted out and with low visibility roundels but retaining
the white top. This aircraft retains the full serial on
the rear fuselage.

P-3C
A9-657 in another variation of the transition to low visibility
markings with the full serial on the rear fuselage, red,
white and blue roundels and the 11 Squadron emblem on the
tail. This aircraft appears to have been completely repainted.

In
1991, the Defence Signals Directorate began developing a specification
for two P-3C Orions to be converted to an electronic intelligence
gathering role. This program was known as Project Peacemate or
Project Air 5384. In 1994, Phase 2 began with the modification
of the two aircraft which were certificated in 1997. These aircraft
are believed to be A9-657 and A9-660 which are discernible by
the lack of sonobuoy tube apertures on the underside of the rear
fuselage.

With only two of the surviving 19 P-3Cs having the ELINT capability,
it was judged desirable to disguise the presence of the two aircraft
which were effectively EP-3Cs although they were never openly
referred to as such. The solution was to make all 19 Orions look
the same and ultimately all aircraft were painted overall Light
Ghost Grey (FS26375) with the roundels presented in a darker shade
of grey. This new livery began to appear sometime around late
1995. To complete the ruse, external serial numbers were effectively
made invisible from "spotting" distances. Squadron markings
returned but these were also in a darker shade of grey such that
they were barely visible. By this time squadron markings were
largely notional as all the Orions were pooled under No 92 Wing
at RAAF Edinburgh.

From July 2002 onwards, 17 P-3Cs were given a systems upgrade
after which they became known as the AP-3C. The prototype (A9-760)
was converted in the United States between October 1997 and July
2002. (A9-754 was earlier written-off and A9-663 was not converted).
The final conversion was completed in December 2004. Probably
by this time, all Orions had been repainted in the overall grey
scheme.

While
the removal of external markings achieved the goal of making all
the Orions look the same, it wasn't much help to ground crews
who needed to tell one aeroplane from another when there were
multiple Orions on the apron. Clearly it would not do to load
an aeroplane with depth charges when the mission required droppable
life rafts and vice versa! Accordingly, the Orions were identified
on the ground in several ways:

Serial numbers were presented in dark grey on the white inner
face of the nose landing gear doors. Photographs suggest that
the 10 Squadron aircraft (700 series serials) showed the last
two digits of the serial number while 11 Squadron aircraft (600
series serials) showed the last three. Because the inside of the
door has a contoured surface, these numbers are sometimes difficult
to read (and probably even more difficult to apply!). As another
means of identification, the last three digits of the serial number
were presented in black on a dayglo orange "Remove Before
Flight" sleeve which was placed over the port nose landing
gear door while the aircraft was on the ground in company with
other Orions.

From
this distance the barely visible orange sleeve on the NLG
door is the only means of identifying A9-664.

This
image of A9-664 shows the two locations on the NLG doors.

For
the benefit of personnel boarding the aircraft, the full serial
was presented aft of the main cabin door in very small dark grey
characters, mostly in a horizontal format but in some instances
the serial was presented vertically.

This
image of A9-664 shows the location of the serial number
aft of the cabin door.

Undoubtedly
the serial number would have been displayed in numerous locations
inside the aircraft but one known location is a placard on the
captain's instrument panel. Curiously, these placards displayed
the serial number with a leading zero e.g. A09-757 as seen in
the following image. These placards also carried the aircraft's
SELCAL code (i.e. Selective Calling - a means of calling an individual
aircraft).

This
image shows the instrument panel placard on A9-757.

Having
gone to all this trouble to de-identify the Orions, it complicated
matters for crews who wished to observe the time honoured tradition
of naming their aircraft. This was particularly so when Orions were
deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations in 2003. Evidently
the crews were allowed some latitude as colourful nose art began
to appear on the Orions. Perhaps it had been agreed that this was
permissible in theatre but still there were bizarre methods of maintaining
the subterfuge while giving aeroplanes individual names. Several
of the Orions were given female names (e.g. Hollie, Brooke, Nicky
etc) although it is not known if there was an underlying theme or
if the names were chosen randomly. Certainly the crews took it very
seriously as the aeroplanes were formally Christened by the Task
Group Padre! For these naming ceremonies, the aircraft carried their
individual names on a removable sleeve or banner which was placed
on one of the nose landing gear doors. It is not known if the aircraft
were permanently branded although the photograph above indicates
that the instrument panel of A9-757 was marked with the name Tina.

At other times prior to the conflict in the MEAO, RAAF Orions routinely
carried nose art and tail art to mark various anniversaries as well
as the annual Fincastle competitions. The following table attempts
to record Orion names and artwork although it does not pretend to
be comprehensive. Additions and corrections will be most welcome.

With the Orions now in the twilight of their career, and with delays
to the Gulfstream G550 project, it is speculated that the two ELINT
Orions may be required to soldier on after all the other Orions
have been retired. Ironically, all of the preceding subterfuge would
then come down to a requirement to hide two aeroplanes in a fleet
of two!

Tail
Art on AP-3C A9-664

AP-3C
ORION NAMES AND ARTWORK

SERIAL

NAME

REMARKS

A9-751

Noted
in MEAO with "That's Gold" nose art.
In 2014 carried nose art to mark the 75th anniversary of 10 SQN
and 11SQN.

A9-752

A9-753

A9-754

A9-755

LADY
KINGSLAND

In
JUN10 carried Felix nose art with caption "On Station Since
1939".
Name LADY KINGSLAND on NLG door sleeve for naming ceremony. (Lady
Kingsland was wife of wartime CO)

In
2002 carried AP-3C titles.
In MAR08 carried nose art of Jack & Ace of spades with name
HOLLIE incorporated in artwork. Name HOLLIE on NLG door sleeve for
naming ceremony.
In JUN08 carried nose art of Jack and Ace of spades with caption
"That's How We Roll Them".
In APR09 carried nose art of a bikini clad lady (Patience?) holding
a telescope.

In
1988 carried Australian Bicentennial logo on tail for Fincastle
competition.
In MAR08 carried nose art of Jack & Ace of spades with name
NICKY incorporated in artwork.
Name NICKY on NLG door sleeve for naming ceremony.

In NOV08 carried nose art of Sonic the Hedgehog with caption "That's
How We Roll!"
In OCT14 carried nose art for 10/11 Sqn 75th Anniversary.
In 2015 carried tail art of black & white checked bands on a
green tail with Felix character (same as 662)